Karzai Urges Taliban To Lift Ban On Girls’ Education, Calls It Barrier To Progress

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged the Taliban to reopen schools and universities for girls as the new academic year approaches.

He warned that the ongoing ban on girls’ education is a major barrier to Afghanistan’s development and will push the country further into decline.

The Taliban has not yet announced a specific date for the start of the new school year. However, last year, they opened schools on March 20 after canceling Nowruz celebrations. As the new academic year begins, the ban on girls’ education is entering its fourth year.

On Sunday, Karzai wrote on X that Afghan girls have been waiting for years to hear the school bell but remain deprived of this right. He stressed that education is not only a fundamental right but also essential for the country’s survival and prosperity. He warned that continued restrictions are forcing young people and families to leave Afghanistan.

Once again, he called on the Taliban to lift the ban and allow girls to continue their studies.

Despite repeated international calls, the Taliban insists that education policies are an internal matter. Over the past three years, the ban on girls’ education beyond sixth grade has left 1.4 million female students without access to schooling.